Community mourns Ontario man killed in collision with unmarked OPP vehicle

Tributes have started pouring in for a Midland, Ont. man who died after reportedly being struck by an unmarked provincial police vehicle over the weekend.

Noah Landriault is being remembered as kindhearted with a zest for life.

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) says the 25-year-old man was on foot when a police vehicle hit him around 6 a.m. Sunday on Muskoka Road 169 in Bala.

The agency says he was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

• RELATED | Midland man dies in collision with OPP cruiser

Landriault was a talented lacrosse player who played with several Simcoe County organizations.

"He was just so compassionate, so thoughtful for friends and family, his siblings and his parents," said his former lacrosse coach Brian Blanks.

Rob Blasdell later scouted Landriault for the Orillia Junior B Kings, who, like many, are trying to cope with news of his death.

"When you're this close to somebody, it's just a shock. I mean, it's something you just can't believe happened," Blasdell said. "It's just an incredibly sad day for this entire area. Noah touched a lot of kids and a lot of people."

In a social media post, the Orillia Junior B Kings also posted about his death: "As a player and coach, Noah always brought energy and enthusiasm to the rink. His positive attitude and love for the game were contagious."

The Midland Titans Lacrosse organization posted on social media that Landriault was a "talented lacrosse player with a kind heart."

"Noah's smile lit up every room, and his positive attitude will forever leave a lasting impact on our club," noted the West Durham Ironheads Junior B Lacrosse organization.

At the time of this article, a GoFundMe campaign launched in Landriault's name had surpassed $41,000, with more than 400 donations, for the family.

The campaign, organized by Monica Smith, says that Landriault worked part-time as a bartender at The Kee to Bala and had a full-time job at the Muskoka Sauna Company.

"He loved sports (particularly lacrosse), his family, and hanging out with his friends," it reads in part. "Noah was just starting to find his place in this world as a young adult when this happened."

Several SIU investigators assigned to the case are probing what happened that morning.

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates any police conduct that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person.

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